Adeleke: I benefited from Electoral Act

Governor Ademola Adeleke of Osun State on Friday said he benefited from the amended 2022 Electoral Act after President Muhammadu Buhari signed the document into law.

He stated this while speaking with State House reporters after a closed door meeting with the President at the Presidential Villa, Abuja.

Adeleke said the international community believed Nigeria was set for democracy with the new Electoral Act that brought fundamental reforms.

Asked about the motive behind his visit to the President, he said: “I am happy to tell you that I just saw our President, looking so well, looking so good and I’m happy about that. Since my election, I feel like I should come and say hello to Mr. President and thank him for signing that Electoral Act because I benefited from it. That paved way for free and fair elections and the international community is applauding Nigeria, that Nigeria is set for democracy.

“So, that is why I’m here today; to see him, thank him and wish him well in his remaining time in office.”

When probed further on other issues discussed with President Buhari, the governor said: “Nothing, that’s the main reason. We just greeted and some of the other things, I already submitted and I will see the Chief of Staff for us to discuss on the way forward for the federal government to assist Osun State.”

Adeleke took the oath of office alongside his deputy, Prince Kola Adewusi, on November 27, 2022.

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) had on June 17, 2022, declared Adeleke of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) as the winner of the Osun governorship election.

He polled a total of 403,371 votes to defeat the incumbent, Adegboyega Oyetola of the All Progressives Congress, who got 375,027 votes in a keenly contested race.